The International Court of Justice has accepted Australia's choice of Professor Hilary Charlesworth AM as a Judge ad hoc in the Whaling Case taken by Australia against Japan.

Australia has initiated legal proceedings in the International Court of Justice against Japan challenging its whaling program in the Southern Ocean.

Under the Statute of the Court, a party to a proceeding is permitted to appoint a Judge ad hoc if it does not have a judge of its nationality already on the Court.

"Under the Statute of the Court, judges are to be persons of high moral character with qualifications, including recognised competence in international law. Professor Charlesworth undoubtedly fills these criteria," Attorney-General Robert McClelland said.

"Professor Charlesworth's experience and expertise in international law make her an outstanding candidate for Australia's nomination as a Judge ad hoc in this case," Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd said.

Professor Charlesworth is currently Professor of International Law and Human Rights, Director of the Centre for International Governance and Justice at the Australian National University and an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow.

Professor Charlesworth has been a Visiting Professor in international law at a number of distinguished academic institutions and is a former President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law. She is currently a Member of the Executive Council of the Asian Society of International Law.